Embrace the Suck: Navigating the Trucking Industry with Karen Smerchek & Taking the Hire Road

Taking the Higher Road is a show dedicated to the trucking industry, focusing on recruiting, retention, and compliance. With over two decades of industry experience, Jeremy, the host for four years, interacts with numerous thought leaders and experts. In this special episode, he features Karen Smerchek, President and owner of Wisconsin-based Veriha Trucking.

Karen shares her journey, the evolution of Veriha Trucking, and her strategic approach to current industry challenges. Her leadership and dedication to driver health and wellness set a high standard for the industry.

The next episode will feature Hope, founder and CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga. Special thanks to our sponsors for their support. For those interested in partnering or being featured on the show, reach out to Jeremy at Taking the Higher Road.

Thank you for reading, and until next time, keep trucking forward!

Introduction

“Taking the Higher Road” is a show dedicated to the trucking industry, focusing on the crucial areas of recruiting, retention, and compliance. With over two decades of industry experience and four years as the host, Jeremy has had the privilege of interacting with numerous thought leaders and industry experts. In this special episode, the spotlight is on Karen Smerchek, the President and owner of Wisconsin-based Veriha Trucking.  Prefer to watch the podcast? Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caV_C92Tz2g&list=PLVi2PdlRdiSorjbL9KJ0aoeudFXkTMP3R&index=4

 

Recognizing the Sponsors

Before diving into the conversation, Jeremy thanked the sponsors who made the show possible. Their unwavering dedication to the trucking industry and the program is deeply appreciated. Jeremy encourages those interested in sponsoring or participating in an interview to reach out.

 

Introducing Karen Smerchek

Jeremy is thrilled to welcome Karen Smerchek, the President and owner of Veriha Trucking, to the show. Veriha Trucking is a stalwart in the industry, built from the ground up in the late 70s by Karen's father with just one truck.

Thankful for the opportunity, Karen expresses her honor to join the show and congratulates Jeremy on the podcast’s four-year milestone. She shares insights into her background, the evolution of Veriha Trucking, and her leadership role amidst the industry's current challenges.

 

Journey of Veriha Trucking

Veriha Trucking has seen significant growth since its inception by Karen's father in 1978. Starting with a single truck, the company evolved from operations managed out of the family home. Karen, after pursuing academic and professional ventures outside trucking, returned to the family business with renewed dedication. Her brother initially acquired the company, providing an opportunity for Karen to buy in and eventually lead the company forward.

 

Embracing Challenges

Karen has led through tough times, recalling the great recession between 2007 and 2009, and the ongoing freight recession. She acknowledges today's market as one of the industry's most challenging periods. Her strategic foresight in planning and adaptation proves crucial. “Appropriate planning, customer diversification, and cash flow management are essential,” she emphasizes, offering an optimistic outlook amid industry uncertainties.

 

Technology and Modern Practices

Karen’s progressive mindset has seen Veriha Trucking embrace technology proactively. From safety features such as collision mitigation and adaptive steering to ensuring smoke-free trucks, she believes in the significant impact of these modern practices on her drivers' well-being and efficiency. Veriha has even implemented a unique cellular tissue repair bed aimed at reducing painkiller dependency, showcasing her innovative approach to driver health and wellness.

 

Involvement with TCA

Karen’s involvement with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) underscores her dedication to the industry. Her journey with TCA began during her college years, valuing the education and networking opportunities it provides. As the incoming Chair, Karen continues to advocate for educational opportunities, political engagements, and benchmarking within the industry.

 

Promoting Driver Health and Wellness

Driver health and wellness are cornerstones of Veriha Trucking's culture. Karen is passionate about initiatives that promote a healthier lifestyle for her drivers, recognizing that a healthy driver is a safer driver. From smoking cessation programs to ensuring nutritious options in company facilities, each initiative reflects her commitment to her employees' well-being.

 

Adapting in Tough Times

In response to the current freight recession, Veriha Trucking has adapted by leveraging technology and operational efficiencies while maintaining a focus on cash flow and customer diversity. Karen advises against making impulsive decisions based on market fluctuations, recommending instead a steady, long-term approach to planning and resource management.

 

Final Thoughts

As Karen prepares to take on the role of Chair at TCA, her leadership, innovation, and deep-rooted commitment to the industry make her an inspiring figure. The future of trucking under such dedicated stewardship looks promising despite current challenges.

The next episode will feature Hope, founder and CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga. Special thanks to sponsors for their continued support. Jeremy encourages those interested in partnering with or being featured on the show to reach out to him at http://www.takingthehireroad.com.

 

Conclusion

In challenging times, leaders like Karen remind the industry of its resilience and potential. Embracing challenges, staying innovative, and taking the higher road are key to moving forward.

Thank you for reading, and until next time, keep trucking forward!

 

Special thanks to the show’s sponsors!

The National Transportation Institute (https://driverwages.com/)

Career Now Brands (https://careernowbrands.com/)

Carrier Intelligence (https://www.carrierintelligence.com/)

Infiniti-I (https://infinitiworkforce.com/)

Workhound (https://workhound.com/)

Asurint (https://asurint.com/)

Arya By Leoforce (https://leoforce.com/)

DriverReach (https://www.driverreach.com)

Seiza (https://www.seiza.co/)

Drive My Way (https://www.drivemyway.com/)

F| Staff (https://www.fstaff.com/)

Trucksafe (https://www.trucksafe.com/)

Seated Social (https://seated-social.com/)

Repowr (https://repowr.com/)